RESPIRATION

MECHANISM
MOUMI (006), HANSIKA (007), HEER (008),
MAULI (009), SHREYA (010)
WHAT IS RESPIRATION?
As you have read earlier, oxygen (O2) is utilized by the organisms
to indirectly break down simple molecules like carbohydrates,
proteins, lipids etc., to derive energy to perform various activities.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) which is harmful is also released during the
above catabolic reactions. It is, therefore, evident that O2 has to be
continuously provided to the cells and CO2 produced by the cells
have to be released out. This process of exchange of O2 from the
atmosphere with CO2 produced by the cells is called breathing,
commonly known as respiration.
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM STRUCTURE
Pair of external nostrils – Inhalation and
exhalation

Pharynx – Common passage for food and air

Larynx – Cartilaginous box that helps in sound

production

Glottis – Opening of larynx

Epiglottis – Prevent entry of food into larynx

Trachea – Straight tube ending in mid- thoracic

cavity
- Divides thoracic vertebrae
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Diaphragm – A dome shaped muscle separating
chest from abdomen and helps in breathing
 Thoracic Vertebrae

Left Primary Right Primary

Bronchi Bronchi

Secondary and
tertiary bronchi

Terminal
Bronchioles

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Alveoli
 ▪ Network of bronchi,
bronchioles and alveoli
comprise LUNGS.

▪ Two lungs covered by

double layered pleura.

▪ Pleural fluid present.

▪ Outer pleural
membrane in contact
with thoracic lining.

▪ Inner pleural
membrane in contact
with lungs surface.
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▪ Situated in thoracic
chamber.
 BREATHING MECHANISM
MECHANISM OF BREATHING
▪ Breathing involves two stages:
- inspiration during which atmospheric air is drawn in
- expiration by which the alveolar air is released out.

▪ The movement of air into and out of the lungs is carried out by
creating a pressure gradient between the lungs and the
atmosphere
 BREATHING
It is a physical process by which gaseous exchange takes
place between the atmosphere and the lungs. It involves
inspiration and expiration. Both these involve parts of the
thoracic cavity - the sternum, the intercostal muscles, and
the diaphragm.
INSPIRATION (INHALATION)
▪ During inspiration, atmospheric air is taken into the lungs.
▪ It occurs due to the pressure gradient between the lungs and the
atmosphere.
▪ It is an active process in which the diaphragm becomes flat and
goes downward, the intercostal muscles contract, so the sternum
moves upward and outward.
▪ This leads to an increase in thoracic volume, a decrease in the
pressure of the thorax, and to equalize the low pressure inside
the lungs, air from the atmosphere rushes into the lungs. This is
inspiration.
EXPIRATION (EXHALATION)
▪ During expiration, the diaphragm relaxes and is pushed
upward.
▪ It becomes dome-shaped.
▪ The intercostal muscles also relax, pulling the rib cage inward
and downward.
▪ This causes a decrease in thoracic volume and leads to an
increase in pressure in the thorax and the lungs as compared
to atmospheric pressure. So air from the lungs rushes out.
This is expiration.
MECHANISM

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GAS EXCHANGE AND TRANSPORT
1.Oxygen
▪ Oxygen binds to Hemoglobin (Hb)
▪ 98% of O₂ is transported bound to hemoglobin in RBCs.
▪ Each Hb molecule carries 4 O₂ molecules (forms
oxyhemoglobin).
▪ Only 2% of O₂ dissolves in plasma.
▪ Factors affecting O₂ binding :
1. pH
2. Temperature
3. CO₂
4. Partial pressure of O2
2.CO₂ Transport:
▪ 70% as Bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻): CO₂ reacts with water (H₂O) → Carbonic acid
(H₂CO₃) → further Dissociates into HCO₃⁻ & H⁺ (enzyme: Carbonic
Anhydrase).
▪ 20% bound to Hemoglobin: Forms Carbaminohemoglobin.
▪ 10% Dissolved in Plasma: Directly dissolves in blood.
▪ Chloride Shift (Hamburger Phenomenon):Exchange of Cl⁻ and HCO₃⁻ in
RBCs to maintain charge balance during CO₂.
▪ Factors affecting :
1. Partial pressure of CO2
2. pH
3. Temperature
RESPIRATORY VOLUMES AND CAPACITIES
▪ Tidal Volume (TV): Volume of air inspired or expired during a normal
respiration. It is approx. 500 ml., i.e., a healthy man can inspire or expire
approximately 6000 to 8000 mL of air per minute.

▪ Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV): Additional volume of air, a person

can inspire by a forcible inspiration. This averages 2500 mL to 3000 ml.

▪ Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV): Additional volume of air, a person

can expire by a forcible expiration. This averages 1000 mL to 1100 ml.

▪ Residual Volume (RV): Volume of air remaining in the lungs even after a
forcible expiration. This averages 1100 mL to 1200 ml. By adding up a few
respiratory volumes described above, one can derive various pulmonary
capacities, which can be used in clinical diagnosis.
▪ Inspiratory Capacity (IC): Total volume of air a person can inspire after
a normal expiration. This includes tidal volume and inspiratory reserve
volume ( TV+IRV).

▪ Expiratory Capacity (EC): Total volume of air a person can expire after a
normal inspiration. This includes tidal volume and expiratory reserve
volume (TV+ERV).

▪ Functional Residual Capacity (FRC): Volume of air that will remain in

the lungs after a normal expiration. This includes ERV+RV.

▪ Vital Capacity (VC): The maximum volume of air a person can breathe in
after a forced expiration. This includes ERV, TV and IRV or the maximum
volume of air a person can breathe out after a forced inspiration.

▪ Total Lung Capacity (TLC): Total volume of air accommodated in the

lungs at the end of a forced inspiration. This includes RV, ERV, TV and IRV
or vital capacity + residual volume.
REGULATION AND IMPORTANCE
The ability of humans to control or regulate their breathing rhythm to meet their body’s
needs is significantly known as the regulation of respiration.

1.Control Centers:
▪ Medulla Oblongata: It acts as the primary respiratory control center sends signals
through two groups of neurons that work together to control our breathing.
i. The Dorsal Respiratory group:
- These neurons are all about inspiration.
- maintains a constant breathing rhythm by stimulating the diaphragm to contract,
causing inhalation.
ii. The Ventral Respiratory group:
- These neurons are all about expiration.
- Activates during forceful breathing, stimulating accessory muscles for
deeper exhalations.
▪ Pons Varolii: It is the other respiratory center and is located underneath
the medulla. It has two main functional regions that perform this role:

i. The Apneustic center:

- It sends signals for inspiration for long and deep breaths.
- It controls the intensity of breathing and is inhibited by the stretch
receptors of the pulmonary muscles at maximum depth of inspiration, .
- It increases tidal volume.

ii. The Pneumotaxic center:

- It sends signals to inhibit inspiration that allows it to finely control the
respiratory rate.
- It decreases tidal volume.
2. Chemoreceptors:
▪ It is a sensory receptor that transduces a chemical signal into an action
potential.
▪ The main chemoreceptors involved in respiratory feedback are:
i. Central chemoreceptors:
- These are located on the ventrolateral surface of medulla oblongata and
detect changes in the pH of spinal fluid.
- They can be desensitized over time from chronic hypoxia (oxygen
deficiency) and increased carbon dioxide.

ii. Peripheral chemoreceptors:

- These include the aortic body, which detects changes in blood oxygen and
carbon dioxide, but not pH, and the carotid body which detects all three.
- They do not desensitize, and have less of an impact on the respiratory
rate compared to the central chemoreceptors.
REFERENCE
▪ NCERT
▪ https://med.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Anatomy_and_Physiology/Anatomy_and_P
hysiology_(Boundless)/21%3A_Respiratory_System/21.10%3A_Respiration_Contro
l/21.10A%3A_Neural_Mechanisms_(Respiratory_Center
▪ https://med.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Anatomy_and_Physiology/Anatomy_and_P
hysiology_(Boundless)/21%3A_Respiratory_System/21.10%3A_Respiration_Contro
l/21.10C%3A_Chemoreceptor_Regulation_of_Breathing
▪ https://images.app.goo.gl/X4mQwrJCnCvxVYxKA

▪ https://images.app.goo.gl/GBHDDxLF1uiSzKME8

▪ https://images.app.goo.gl/f9a44MAu4XMRKk1M9

▪ https://images.app.goo.gl/bryjJQuPUGntnR2X8
 CREDITS
▪ Introduction and Respiratory Volumes and Capacities: Mauli
▪ Respiratory System structure: Shreya
▪ Breathing Mechanism: Moumi
▪ Gas Exchange and Transport: Hansika
▪ Regulation and Importance: Heer
THANKYOU!